2017-01-16 Mon

In a first, The Royal Mint UK celebrates 1000th coronation anniversary of a Danish King of England, Canute the Great!

From a Viking warrior to an English King, Canute the Great was one of the most effective rulers of in Anglo-Saxon history. Cnut's father was Sweyn Forkbeard, King of Denmark and as a Danish prince, Cnut won the throne of England in 1017. Later his accession to the Danish throne in 1018 brought the crowns of England and Denmark together.

Under Canute's rule English trade improved. As he was a Viking king, he was able to protect England against the Viking raids. His 20-year long reign saw peace, after almost a century of Viking raids, and allowed trade and art to flourish.

This is a first time that a Viking King or King Canute, in particular, is portrayed and commemorated on UK coin. The Royal Mint has issued proof coins in silver and gold having the portrait of King Canute on the reverse and HMS Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.

Book one for yourself here on the Royal Mail site.